Halloween is spooky and fun and capturing the mood in pictures is not as difficult as one may think. From the scary glow of the jack-o-lantern to the pretty princess or scary skeleton, this holiday can present some very unique picture-taking opportunities. To rise to the challenge of taking great Halloween pictures, follow the simple tips below.
Tell a Story
Take pictures designed to tell the whole scary story, from sweet preschooler to devilish trick-or-treater. If you keep the camera handy, the entire process can be captured on film and the results will be a wonderful catalog of most kids’ favorite night of the year. Remember to take the camera with you when you are out in the neighborhood. If you can get the kids to hold still long enough, their delighted faces will show the excitement of the night and the prints will be a wonderful keepsake of the holiday.
Keep the Glow in the Jack-o-Lanterns
To turn up the glow of the jack-o-lantern, turn off the flash on your camera. The camera user guide will have instructions if you are unsure of how to do it. Pay no attention to the warning lights or beeps designed to alert you to insufficient light and hold your camera very steady or use a tripod as you focus on the face of your pumpkin masterpiece. Use a very slow or manual shutter speed. Try taking the picture outside around dusk to take full advantage of the natural and artificial light. Or take the picture in total darkness to create a ghoulish silhouette.
Add Light to your Subject
Use a flashlight or two to safely brighten the light in your pumpkin. Remember that candles can be very dangerous, especially when taking pictures of young trick-or-treaters next to jack. Make sure to adjust the angle of the flashlights and camera so no direct light will hit the lens. The glow of the flashlights has its limits, though, so play around with room or porch lights to illuminate the background the way you want it. Try dimming overhead lights or turning on lights in adjacent rooms. Kids can also shine a flashlight on the pumpkin to cast interesting shadows or give it highlights or reflections.
Bigger is Better
If you are pretty sure you will be taking pictures of your finished jack-o-lantern, carve it with the camera in mind. Bigger openings for eyes or mouth will cast more light and give a better finished product. Larger openings will also cast an impressive glow on bystanders and small trick-or-treaters. So remember: bigger is better, and the bigger the pumpkin, the better the holes!
Getting in the habit of taking pictures of family on the major holidays will give a wonderful history of your family during the fleeting growing-up years. No family can have too many pictures, and comparing kids’ growth from one year to the next in print is a great way to rekindle fond family memories.
Source information adapted fromwww.kodak.com , “Taking Great Pictures.”
